10th-grade Test Results Mixed

WINDSOR LOCKS — Sophomores at Windsor Locks High School who took a statewide standardized test last year scored better than the preceding class in mathematics, science and language arts.

However, scores on the interdisciplinary section of the Connecticut Academic Performance Test fell for the third straight year.

Principal Mary Conway said the results in that section, which tests students' ability to combine and apply learning from various disciplines in solving problems, were ``most disappointing.'' Conway presented results of the test to the school board Thursday night.

She said 67 percent of the school's sophomores met or exceeded the state goal on the interdisciplinary section three years ago, but that fell to 44 percent, then to 30 percent and 27 percent this year. Windsor Locks ranked last among 16 similar towns that are grouped for comparison.

Conway said one possible explanation is that there has been high turnover among social studies teachers, who are charged with preparing students for interdisciplinary section.

On the positive side, the percentage meeting or exceeding the state goal in language arts rose from 26 last year to 32, placing Windsor Locks students among the top in the 16-town reference group.